Walcott the striker

We are just 14 days away from the transfer windowing being open and 6 months away from Theo Walcotts contracting expiring at Arsenal. There are no franchise tags to place on him it's either re-sign him, sell him or let him walk for free in the summer. This makes it more than likely that Theo is sold in this forth coming transfer window.

How has it come that Arsenals so called golden boy and saviour is going to be allowed to walk away from the club that gave him his chance at the top level. Well Walcott and Arsenal have been at stand off now for over a year regarding this contract and there are two real sticky points. The first being the usual thing and expiring contracts at Arsenal, players demanding more money. Arsenal have the money and could cave into his demands if they are prepared to move from their strict stance on players contracts (which I do admire).

The real sticky point is Walcott wants more playing time and more importantly the opportunity to play as a lead striker the position he feels he is best at. Wenger has been reluctant to not only play him regularly in recent years but when he does start him as a winger. If I throw my two penny in I have always believed he is a natural top man. The best use of his pace is to run on to balls rather than with the ball down the wing, for a quick man he is not the most natural dribbler. Running on to the ball he is very dangerous. Over recent years the most improved aspect of his game is his finishing, when he first entered Arsenal his finishing was below par now I actually think he is decent in front of goal. Again making him well suited to playing as a striker.

Guess what, Wenger plays him up top tonight against Reading. He not only scores a goal but it was also one of his best games in an Arsenal top. The question I have has this come to late, has Walcott already made his mind up to leave. This will all be answered within the next 6 months as an Arsenal fan I hope he stays but more importantly Wenger continues to play him up top.

The one thing I want to leave you with tonight is this thought, what if football were too use a salary cap. Players and rich owners would not hold as much power and you could even tag a player when his contract expires to prevent him leaving and creating obscure demands. Would it create a more fair and balanced premier league?